Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-01-15
THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT

unless we can ind way out of our diff.
culties, wen soon be going over the hill to
the poorhouse"
Jack sighed dismally, and leaning back
in his armchair, drew down the corners Of
his mouth in way that rendered him the
picture of despair.
Is It so bad as that ?" exclaimed his
pretty, rosy-cheeked wife, sympathetically
We will begin 20 save at once. I ought
TO have thought of it long ago" said the
little woman, regretfully.
It's all very well TO talk about saving,
but how IS il to be done when our income
is barely sufficient 10 procure necessaries ?''
said Jack, trying 10 force smile.
We will have 10 modify our views
concerning 'necessaries.' There are ever
so many things that we might manage to
dispense with, said Bess, earnestly. " In
the first place You ought to give up smok-
ing SO many cigars, and instead of buying
your dinner, make Up your mind to take a
nice lunch"
No, no. Bess ~ interrupted Jack impa-
tiently, q" must have cigars ard the plan
OF carrying a cold lunch, Just like COM
Jacks handsome face assumed decid-
eddy ferocious expression, as he thrust both
hands into his pockets, and paced the floor
with rapid strides
IL was only suggestion, jack" said
Bess placing her hand upon her husbands
shoulder. You are not obliged to give ID
smoking, and ! must admit that q cold
lunch would be likely to cause dyspepsia.
You snail do as you think best dear, and
instead OF advising you to practice econ
omy, will see what ] can do toward less
ening the family expenses"
OF course, you must not do Withou.
things that are really necessary" said Jack,
considerably Modified In fact, he con
tinued, want you 10 feel that you are al
liberty to do exactly as you please with
every dollar that give you"
understand you perfectly, Jack. ]
will not be at all backward about spending
money for what we really need, " said Bess,
with a smile.
We viii talk over the matter again, Ill
lie one" And Jack, evidently glad that
the matter was set aside for future con-
sIderation, kissed his wife affectionately,
and walked briskly up the street toward his
office.
As he approached the store where he was
IN the habit OF buying his daily supply
of cigars, he slackened his gait and NUT
tered
I've half mind to do without cigars
for day. Let-me-see-tha will be thirty
cents saved. III do il !" Jack Immediately
puickened his pace, and passed the door
The first time in TWO years that I have
passed that store without going in" said
Jack, as he deposited three silver dimes 10
MS vest pocket. IF each penny turns out
. 70 be a seed, thirty cents ought to bring
out pretty good crop at the end of the
year"
As the hours passed away Jack was con
scious Of feeling very disconsolate without
his accustomed cigar.
"pll have good square meal to make up
for it, he muLtered, or his way to neigh
boring restaurant.
Upon his arrival, be seated himself at a
small table, and picking up bill Of fare,
glanced over the list OF culinary sue
cesses and failures named thereon. Jack
hesitated moment, then, turning TO the
waiter, who stood at respectful distance,
he said
Simmons, bring me a bowl Of yege-
table soup, 4 few siicss OF bread, and 4
saucer of rice pudding
"Ali right, san. Wonder what's come
ODER Massa Avery; reckon de tip-top
dinners am provin' too much fur his
digestyun,n he muttered, with grin, as he
delivered the order.
Who would have thought that !
could enjoy anything like this, said Jack
10 himself, as he swallowed the last spoon
ful of pudding. On his way out OF the
restaurant he placed fifty cents upon the
cashiers desk, and received thirty cents
change
Here you go 10 keep the cigar money
from getting home-sick, said Jack, as be
dropped the amount into the side pocket
On the way back 10 the Office he met a
friend. He was on the point of accompa-
nying his salutation with the words, Come
into Burt's and have something 70 drink, "
when voice seemed to whisper;
Stop, Jack you can't afford to spend
thirty cents for fancy drinks"
Come, old fellow, what will yon have?'
asked the friend as he turned to enter
Burt's saloon.
Not anything, thank you, I've sworn
off, replied Jack. laughing.
All, / see you are Benedict now
Well, | won't urge youth fact, I've about
made up ny mind that the treat custom
has hurried more than one man TO destruc-
ton. Suppose we join hands in the re-
solve never TO touch intoxicating liquor
ourselves, or invite any one to do the
same ?"
II am with you there, Harvey r. ex-
claimed Jack, grasping the hand OF hi;
friend and shaking it heartily. Come ur
TO the house some evening" he said, as
they parted, 80 Bess will be very glad to see
Thanks, ] shall certainly do so-as
-eroir P'
Bess has always been opposed tc
strong drink wonder what she would say
If she knew of my resolve" said Jack, a;
he dropped two dimes and ten pennies
into the side pocket. ' I reckon it will Sc
hard 10 do this sort Of thing every day but
have made up my mind to do It, and nc
enc hiss ever accused Jack Avery OF Sinking
feel sure that the result viii prove salts
factory
The afternoon was hot and sultry, anC
as Jack leaned over his desk the long
column of figures before him seemed t
laugh at his unsuccessful efforts to balance
accounts.
Get one of Burt's fine cigars. You'l
feel like q new man after you've had a gOoC
smoke" whispered the Evil Genius.
Don't do II Jack !" whispered anothe,
voice. Zone cigar viii not suffice; you'll
want another directly II you break you
resolution you win despise yourself for be
ing so week"
glass CT Burt COOL Sparkling oeeI
nnurmgFed Jack. At this -moment thu
door opened and boyish voice called
out
. Here's ger ice cold lemonade, two cents
I'm take 4 glass if it's the pure stuff,
said Jack.
an warrant it, sir mother and mesel
makes II, an takes it round to the gen
tIeinen in the offices, said the boy, filling
q glass and handing it to Jack.
Not 50 bad said the latter, as he
auaffed the cooling drausht. " Ii ! had
cone over 10 Burt's," he muttered,
would not have stopped at one glass o.
beer. That lemonade has freshened me
ar. wonderfully." Eighteen cents found
their way into the side pocket.
On the way home Jack was accosted by
oootblack.
Have q shine, sir7 only ten cents,
said the boy, persussively.
Go ahead. On second thought guess